There are beautiful flowers here that the world has yet to discover.
They belong to no school, nor do they follow the teachings of any master. Yet they bring to mind the essence of ikebana as it might have been when it first emerged—classical, elegant, yet strikingly fresh.
Crafted by the hands of a self-taught enthusiast, they have even succeeded in captivating the seasoned eye of one of Japan’s most renowned flower artists.
What is it that makes them so enchanting?
For six years, Yukio Namiki has ventured into fields and mountains each week, seeking wildflowers, arranging them, and capturing their fleeting beauty on camera. From a collection of over 300 images, 70 carefully selected works are now being unveiled for the very first time.
Every tree branch, plant and flower, picked in the nearby mountains, took my breath away as they seemed to encapsulate the air of the mountain gods. The flowers appeared to have been arranged where he picked them, in a way that was always straightforward, bold and precise. There was no sign of hesitation.
——Toshiro Kawase (Flower artist)
Every weekend, I have a great opportunity to see photographs of these delightful flowers. Once in a while I imagine if, besides those refined flower arrangements, I would be able to see a flower arrangement that is rough and harsh. That is something I would love to see.
——Bong Rae Lee (antique art dealer)